The GWS Giants fought against the odds to come away with a crucial 14-point victory against the Adelaide Crows.
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Final score
GWS Giants 15.16.106
Adelaide Crows 13.14.92
The GWS Giants and Adelaide Crows are set to play a vital match this Saturday night in Canberra that will shape the top eight with just three rounds left. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:25pm (AEST).
The Giants are sitting pretty inside the top four, with that early season draw proving to be more than handy at this stage of the season. A loss here won’t be the end of the world for GWS, however, dangerous games against Sydney and Melbourne in the final two weeks make this quite important.
From Adelaide’s perspective, their season is pretty much over. Two games and percentage outside the eight means a perfect final three weeks are required, and a lot of luck to go their way. Daniel Talia is missing for them, making it a difficult task to complete without their most important player.
Injuries are the story of this match, particularly for the Giants. Simpson is out for the season, which creates ruck issues for GWS. Toby Greene is missing, while Brett Deledio re-injured his calf. No height was really brought in, meaning a different tactic will be employed.
Adelaide will be relying on Alex Keath once again in defence which could prove costly against the trio of Cameron, Lobb and Himmelberg, although the likely ruck contest of Sam Jacobs vs Adam Tomlinson may give the Crows a slight midfield edge.
There is strong potential for this to be the match-of-the-round if conditions are clear, and many will give the Crows a chance.
Ultimately, the Giants need to get up to secure their spot in the finals and help cement a top four spot which should be enough to get the win.
Prediction
Giants by 15 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:25pm (AEST).
PeteB
Guest
The initial tackle was sufficient to dispossess Kelly and earn a free kick. The second action of throwing Kelly with such force to the ground was with intent of causing severe pain and injury. Totally unnecessary and extremely dangerous. Should be getting 4 to 6 weeks.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
By the way, I don't think these tackles should be suspensions. They are footy accidents. The Buddy Franklin elbows and Sam Mitchell knees are far more sinister. The MRO..or tribunal...however, must treat Walker as they treated Nyhuis.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Welcome to Freo's last 3 seasons.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
The Canberra crowd really get behind GWS. Pity they didn't set up a team such as GWS here in the ACT instead of Western Sydney where they seem to be unappreciated. Games at Spotless Stadium have nowhere near the same atmosphere. The Manuka crows seem to really know their footy and know who who to target in the opposition such as Tex Walker who was given the treatment every time he went near the ball. As a Crows supporter it was tough to see their season end tonight but I'll be supporting GWS in the finals.
XI
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call, Dem. Shame that the injuries keep piling up for us.
PeteB
Guest
Sling tackle with second action and with Tex’s record he should be missing some games at the start of next season.
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
MATCH REPORT GWS fought against the odds to come away with a crucial 14-point victory against Adelaide. For the second week in a row, the Giants suffered a host of injuries during the match. Sam Reid (hamstring) and Heath Shaw (knee) are likely to miss a few weeks each, with the latter highlighting that he believes he has suffered a PCL injury. Josh Kelly's concussion will have him in doubt for next week, but the Giants were able to fight on with just one on the bench in the final quarter. Adelaide's season is ultimately over, playing for pride in the remaining fortnight. Captain Taylor Walker will come under scrutiny with the Match Review Officer following his dangerous tackle on Josh Kelly, which ruled the Giant midfielder out for the match. Lachie Whitfield was the best player on the ground, finishing with 30 disposals, 11 marks and a goal, while Rory Lobb's permanent move to the ruck was fantastic, finishing with 15 disposals, eight tackles, 40 hitouts and a goal. The Giants have two tough games coming up against Sydney and Melbourne, still facing a tough task to stay in the top four come season's end. Adelaide plays North Melbourne and Carlton to finish the season, but need plenty of results to go their even contemplate a finals appearance. A cold Canberra night ultimately saw the better team win.
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
FULL TIME GWS - 15.16 (106) def Adelaide 13.14 (92) That's the end of the game, with the Giants getting up by 14 points. They've locked in their spot in the top four and are now in the box seat for a double chance. Adelaide's season is over, confirming their drop-off from Grand Final to missing finals in the space of 12 months. That was an exciting match overall, but GWS has a few injuries to now deal with. Thanks for joining me tonight!
XI
Roar Guru
Yeah but we've had it all year. Six of our first team players and another 3 go down tonight?
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
Q4 - 00:00 GOAL (Crows) Walker kicks a 60 metre goal on the final siren, but it's all about the Giants here, who win by 14. GWS - 106 Adelaide - 92.
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
Q4 - 00:40 BEHIND (Crows) Bronx jeers echo through speakers everywhere as Tex Walker misses a shot for goal in the final minute. GWS - 106 Adelaide - 86
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
Q4 - 3:21 GOAL (GWS) Now that should be the end of the game. Coniglio snaps from a good Taranto handball, kicking it right through the middle. Adelaide needs four goals in three minutes, which is impossible if you ask Leigh Matthews. GWS - 106 Adelaide - 85
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I think Alberton and Tullamarine have a lock on the unlucky stakes this weekend!
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
Q4 - 4:15 GOAL (Crows) The immediate reply still has Adelaide hanging on by a thread. Jenkins finishes easily. GWS - 100 Adelaide - 85
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
Q4 - 5:06 GOAL (GWS) Could that be the game? Hopper kicks his second with a nice snap around the corner. GWS - 100 Adelaide - 79
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
Q4 - 8:20 BEHIND (Crows) Sam Jacobs got the handball under pressure and took a quick shot on goal, but there wasn't enough time for him to collect himself. He tugs it to the left. GWS - 94 Adelaide - 79
XI
Roar Guru
Who broke all the mirrors in Homebush?
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
Q4 - 11:24 This doesn't look good for Heath Shaw, who has had a teammate run through his knee and force a hyper-extension. The Giants are now down to one on the bench with plenty of time left on the clock.
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
Q4 - 11:24 BEHIND (Crows) Josh Jenkins took a quick shot from the boundary throw in and missed it. GWS - 94 Adelaide - 78
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
Q4 - 12:01 BEHIND (Crows) Don't know how to describe what David Mackay just attempted, other than to say it resulted in a behind. GWS - 94 Adelaide - 77